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CURRICULUMThe PA graduate program has one start date a year in August. The program is 27 months in length and consists oftwo phases: Didactic and Clinical.DIDACTIC YEAR-3.5 SEMESTERSThe didactic or classroom phase of the program is held onthe campus of Methodist University in a newly constructed,state-of-the-art Medical Lecture Hall. The 3,800 square footfacility consists of a 168 seat auditorium and two breakoutclassrooms. The following courses are covered over the spanof 3.5 semesters:CLINICAL PHASE-3.5 SEMESTERSThe clinical phase is the final 3.5 semesters of theprogram. Most rotations are completed withinFayetteville or the surrounding areas. Rotationdecisions will be at the discretion of the ClinicalCoordinator. Students will also have a final researchpaper due prior to graduation as their capstone project.“A clinically orientedapproach to grossanatomy is vital to aPA’s full understandingof health, diseaseand death, as wellas most diagnosticand therapeuticinterventions.”— Dr. Bruce Steffes,M.D., Instructor ofAnatomy and PhysiologyAnatomy withCadaver LabGastroenterologyOphthalmologyPhysiologyCardiologyOrthopedicsHistory and PhysicalExam I, II, IIILab Medicine I, IIOtolaryngologyPharmacology I, II, IIIEmergency Med I, II ,IIIPulmonologyMedical Ethics SeminarUrology/NephrologyGeriatricsPA Orientation I, IIOB/GYNFundamentals of SurgeryDermatologyNeurologyHematologyOncologyCritical ThinkingBehavioral MedicinePediatricsHealth Promotion/DiseasePreventionResearch MethodsInfectious DiseasesInternal MedPediatricsOB/GYNElectivesEmergency MedOrthopedicsSurgeryFamily Medicine I, II, III*Behavioral MedicinePreceptorship (Elective)**8 weeks4 weeks4 weeks4 weeks4 weeks4 weeks4 weeks12 weeks4 weeks6 weeks*Include community and rural health**The preceptorship rotation is designed to help students secure a jobprior to graduation. Many students are offered jobs throughout theirclinical rotations and are encouraged to use the preceptorship to decideif the clinic/hospital is a desirable place of employment. The actualrotation is 4 weeks in length, while reserving the remaining two weeksfor national board review and program assessment.CADAVER LABThe human anatomy laboratory at Methodist is a critical component of the first semester PhysicianAssistant curriculum. The Gross Anatomy course is designed to provide a working knowledge ofhuman anatomy, an understanding of physiology, disease processes, diagnostic radiology, surgicaland traumatic conditions, and interventional therapy. PA students have described the course asan “invaluable” and “irreplaceable” experience, and PA faculty members believe this anatomylaboratory builds a strong foundation for the MU Physician Assistant Program and its outstandingsuccess. The program opened the doors to a state-of-the-art cadaver lab in 2010. It is in the top onepercent in technology of all PA programs nationwide and can accommodate up to fifteen stations.11